The victory of a man shunned for his hardline anti-immigration views -- and the failure of any leftwing candidate to make it through to the May 5 run-off -- were described as a "political earthquake" by leaders of left and right, with some even predicting an end to the country's constitutional system.

"The upheaval is total," said Jean-Luc Benhamias, campaign director for the Green candidate Noel Mamere. "The Fifth Republic is now on its final road -- we will have to move to something more European, more democratic."

The remarkable success of the 73-year-old former paratrooper is the high point of his National Front's (FN) 30-year history and owes much to the breakdown of political loyalties that pollsters identified as a major factor in the campaign.

As voting day approached it became clear that he was the only candidate capable of overhauling the two frontrunners -- incumbent conservative Jacques Chirac, 69, and Socialist Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, 64 -- and many uncertain voters must have decided he was the best means for dealing a snub to the system.

With a record number of candidates standing -- 16 in all -- both of the country's leaders were dangerously exposed to protest votes on their flanks, but in the end it was Jospin who fell furthest.

The breakthrough also appeared to bear out Le Pen's claim to speak a language -- on crime, immigration, Europe and corruption within the political establishment -- which appeals to more French voters than other leaders are prepared to admit.

There is no question that the vast majority of French men and women who reject his views will now rally round to prevent a Le Pen victory. Chirac can be assured of a massive vote on May 5.

But the danger is that his second term will be seen as illegitimate by much of the public because of the failure of any left wing challenger to make it through to the first round.

Traditionally the country splits fairly evenly between left and right, so half of voters can claim they will be effectively disenfranchised because of the right-far right duel between Chirac and Le Pen in the final round.

This could well harm the chances of a future right wing government to introduce tough reforms. It could also have unpredictable effects on the parliamentary elections that take place in June, where a left wing backlash could bring in a majority unfavourable to Chirac.

France's Fifth Republic constitution, brought in by Charles de Gaulle in 1958, is already the object of widespread criticism.

The power-sharing arrangement known as "cohabitation," in which the president is forced to surrender much of his power to a prime minister of the opposing camp -- and the numerous corruption scandals surrounding Chirac -- have severely undermined the prestige of the position.

Le Pen, a man reviled by the majority of the population, has practically no chance of ever reaching the Elysee palace. But the fact that he has even been given a shot can only discredit the institution still further.

Meanwhile, anti-racist and human rights groups issued a chorus of shocked statements Sunday after early estimates showed far-rightist Jean-Marie second-placed in the French presidential elections and heading for a final round against top contender, conservative incumbent Jacques Chirac.

Mouloud Aounit, president of the Movement against Racism and for Friendship between Peoples (MRAP), said he was "stunned by the result which placed National Front leader Le Pen in second place after first round polling.

"It is a real catastrophe for France, for its values, for its image", he told AFP. "Today is a day of national mourning which leaves me and all anti-racists with a sad scar on the history of our republic," he added."

His remarks were echoed by Michel Tubiana from France's League for Human Rights. "I am appalled. It's a catastrophe for democracy", Tubiana said. "It's also the consequence of a campaign focussed on law-and-order issues."

Concerns over law-and-order played a part in the campaign as France faces a rising crime wave.

Against such a background, the result was understandable, said Roger Cukierman, president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF).

"It's a shock. Reflecting on it, one understands that it is the result of the reaction of the French people faced with problems of crime. It is a defensive reaction which I understand and which I deplore," he told AFP.

MRAP have called for anti-racist demonstrations across france for next Saturday.

"I launch this appeal facing a result which disfigures a certain concept of France for those today who feel hurt, who feel humiliated, that do not accept that France can be taken hostage by a party which represents hate, exclusion and anti-semitism," Aounit told AFP.

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